An action-packed slog

An absolute waste of money

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Ridley Scott's SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME had the misfortune to come out during a time when FATAL ATTRACTION was going to change the whole look of the psycho-thriller movie. Thus by comparison, this film feels very ponderous and dated. It's a mixed bag of a production, with some decent performances and a nice visual style, but it doesn't really do much we haven't seen before.It's clear from the outset that Scott is most interested in the dark and brooding cinematography here, because this is a fine-looking movie. The plot, which is about a cop who has to protect a woman who witnessed a mob murder, is less intriguing and indeed rather predictable. Tom Berenger is an acceptable hero and Mimi Rogers is ever-intriguing as the object of his desire, but I can't help but think there's a little too much romance here and not enough thrills. Jerry Orbach props up the supporting cast, as in so many films.

This was a serviceable enough cop story/thriller back in the late '80s that showed director Ridley Scott was on his toes. Actors Berenger, Scott, Bracco, and Orbach were all in fine form. The one that stood out most though was Andreas Katsulas as the villain. I think Ridley Scott consciously picked him for the role because he resembled in action a kind of vicious "Alien" on Earth and an ode to Scott's career-making masterpiece. It's too coincidental that a pair of hands/claws grab onto closing elevator/spaceship doors and force them back open during the climaxes of both films. After seeing this movie, I was left with the thought that director Scott was a little full of himself. It's a good thing he went on to make the special, seminal "GI Jane."

I remember seeing this movie back in the late 80's on VHS, I rented it and watched it with my parents. I was blown away by Berenger's performance, to me it is one of his best. I can't thin of a negative thing about this movie, it is all positive. It had a great cast, great plot, and action packed from the beginning to the end.The film takes place in New York and it is about a woman, Claire Gregory, who is played by Mimi Rodger's. One night she is at some outing and accidentally is a witness to a murder. She tries to leave before she is seen; but bumps into something and the killer sees her. The NYC police naturally are involved; and when they find out there's a witness; the next step is taken. Enter Mike Keegan, Tom Berenger, is assigned to protect her.Once on the job things begin to heat up, at first it's fun and games, he escorts her to some shindig in NY. She buys him a tie before going so he looks proper.There he gets a glimpse of the hit-man after her. He feels bad that she got approached and threatened by him and promises he will keep a better eye on her.He is assigned the night shift and begins to like his job just a little too much, by mixing business and pleasure. Then things get complicated, his wife finds out he's doing more than protecting her. He gets thrown out of his house, marriage is in jeopardy, and he is the talk of the department. Then all hell breaks loose, his partner gets stabbed, his wife hates him and he/Claire need to fix a mess.The hit-man finds Mikes family and threatens them and it's up to Keegan, Claire, and the NYC police to stop this fiend before it's too late. This is a great movie for anyone who likes a little drama mixed in with their action. I would recommend this to anyone, you won't be disappointed and the ending is excellent. Kris L. CocKayne :D

This film couldn't have been more 80's if it was wearing leg-warmers. Shot with all the depth and meaning of an MTV video, it's ludicrously plotted, poorly acted and surprisingly, considering it's a Ridley Scott feature, rather boringly directed if truth be told.Let's take the plot first and take your pick from the most far-fetched scenario, from the unlikely relationship between ever so rich, ever so posh Mimi Rogers and ever so working-class, ever so gauche Tom Berenger, to the mad murderer running about New York, coming back for lone witness, even after he's improbably let out on bail after a murder attempt, to the finale when Berenger's estranged wife comes to his aid in the most dramatic way and of course takes him back.As for the acting, I didn't detect any heat between the leads at all, a situation not helped by Scott deciding not to give us a big sex-scene involving them, which while I'm no advocate for X-rated scenes, felt something more could have been done to explain the unlikely liaison between the two of them. They make a good-looking couple, but their characterisations are too one-dimensional, Rogers as the poor little rich girl and particularly Berenger with his sub-Rocky like enunciation and dumb-lunk portrayal.I also felt there was too little action in the film and the intended suspense-ful bits were lacking in tension and th soundtrack an uneasy mix of jazz and pop, with the title song played far too often, no matter if it is in different guises.It's certainly a beautifully shot film but the colours are too ripe as if the cameras are in permanent soft-focus mode, over-prettifying the cinematography.I've struggled all through this review trying to avoid saying style over content, but there you go, I've said it...and I mean it.